Black seed or its extracted oil has been used in food additives and herbal health preparations for thousands of years in the Middle East, the Far East, and Asia.
Do you know the black seed benefits and side effects?
Due to its special aroma and flavor, the black seed is used in spices, seasonings, and preservatives. It is added to various foods such as yogurts, pickles, seasonings, baked goods, cheese, and salads.
In addition, in Islamic literature, the black seed is considered one of the greatest healing drugs. The medical literature has mentioned the use of black seed for the treatment of asthma, cough, bronchitis, headache, rheumatism, fever, flu, eczema, scorpion stings, and snake bites.
Table of Contents
- What is Nigella sativa?
- What are the benefits of black seed?
- 1. Black seed is good for asthma
- 2. Black seed is beneficial to male infertility
- 3. Black seed seeds reduce inflammation indicators (C-reactive protein)
- 4. Black seed seeds improve dyslipidemia
- 5. Black seed is beneficial to blood sugar control
- 6. Black seed weight assists in weight loss
- 7. Black seed is beneficial to blood pressure regulation
- 8. Black seed seeds help kidney stones dissolve
- Are there any side effects of black seed?
- Safety Precautions
- Where can I buy the black seed oil capsule recommended by most people?
What is Nigella sativa?
Nigella sativa is also known as black cumin is an annual herbaceous flowering plant, belonging to Ranunculaceae, which can be found all over the world, but mainly grown in Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Western Asia.
The black seed grass is about 20-30 cm tall and has linear leaves. The flowers are usually light blue and white with five to ten petals. The fruit is a large, swollen capsule consisting of three to seven combined small sacs, each containing seeds.
Black seeds are similar in size to sesame seeds (approximately 1 to 5 mm) and are often referred to as black seeds, black cumin, or black fennel (Kalonji).
Black seed contains a variety of active ingredients, such as thymoquinone, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, proteins, fatty acids, etc. Among them, thymoquinone is considered to be the most effective active ingredient.
What are the benefits of black seed?
1. Black seed is good for asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory inflammatory disease that is associated with airway hyperresponsiveness (an exaggerated airway narrowing response to specific triggers, such as viruses, allergens, and exercise), which leads to repeated asthma, difficulty breathing, Chest tightness, cough, these symptoms change with time and intensity.
It is estimated that about 10% of the population suffers from this disease. It is also the most common chronic disease for children, especially the highest prevalence among adolescents (> 12%).
A meta-analysis of literature (including 4 randomized controlled trials, a total of 187 diagnosed as asthma participants) pointed out that overall, compared with the control group, supplementing with black seed extract or seed oil can improve Asthma control test scores, forced expiratory volume at one second, but for peak expiratory flow, interleukin 4, interleukin-4, and interferon γ (interferon-gamma) have no obvious effect.
*Conclusion: For patients with asthma, supplementing with Heiwica-related preparations may have a positive effect on the control of the condition, but it is limited by the small sample size, and more long-term studies are still needed to corroborate.
2. Black seed is beneficial to male infertility
Infertility (Infertility) is a disease with psychological, economic, and medical effects that can cause trauma and stress, especially in a social environment that emphasizes fertility, affecting 8% to 12% of couples worldwide.
In all cases of infertility, about 40% to 50% is due to “male factor” infertility, as many as 2% of men have poor sperm parameters. It may be a form with low sperm concentration, poor sperm motility, or deformity.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (2 months, 68 male infertility patients with abnormal semen parameters) pointed out that compared with the placebo group, oral black seed oil (daily dose 5 ml) helps to improve sperm count, vitality, morphology, semen volume, pH and round cells.
*Conclusion: For male infertility patients with abnormal semen parameters, oral black seed oil may be a positive help for improving sperm quality.
3. Black seed seeds reduce inflammation indicators (C-reactive protein)
C-reactive protein (C-reactive protein) is a serum biomarker of the systemic inflammatory response, a better indicator of inflammation than erythrocyte sedimentation rate, more sensitive to changes in clinical conditions, and responds faster.
Because it responds quickly to the inflammatory process, whether it is an infection, autoimmune disease or tissue necrosis, and other inflammatory conditions will rise rapidly.
There are many factors that can change the baseline level of C-reactive protein, including age, gender, smoking status, body weight, blood lipid levels, and blood pressure. The average CRP level in healthy people is about 0.8 mg/L.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including 5 randomized controlled trials with a total of 439 participants) indicated that ingesting black seed oil or black seed oil (follow-up time 6 to 12 weeks, daily dose 1 g to 3 g) can significantly reduce serum C-reactive protein (C-reactive protein) levels.
In addition, the sub-group analysis further found that the relevant C-reactive protein effect was particularly significant in BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2.
*Conclusion: Oral black seed and related products may have a positive effect on reducing the inflammation index (C-reactive protein) but limited by the small sample size and heterogeneity, more research is still needed to corroborate.
4. Black seed seeds improve dyslipidemia
Dyslipidemia refers to abnormally increased levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG), and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). One of the strongest and most modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
In fact, dyslipidemia is not a single main phenomenon, but a broad term referring to an inappropriate diet and lifestyle, as well as some genetic susceptibility.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including 17 randomized controlled trials with a total of 1185 participants) pointed out that supplementation with black seed preparation can reduce serum total cholesterol (WMD: -15.65mg/dL) and low-density Lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: -14.10mg/dL) and triglyceride (WMD: -20.64mg/dL) levels.
And the analysis found that the related blood lipid improvement effect is more obvious when using the black seed oil, and the black seed powder is more helpful to increase the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).
*Conclusion: Supplementing with black seed health supplements may help improve blood lipid parameters (total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides), but due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, more studies are still needed to confirm the optimal dosage and Course of treatment.
5. Black seed is beneficial to blood sugar control
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is caused by insulin resistance and defects in insulin secretion.
The strict control of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is less than 7% (53 mmol/mol), which can prevent or slow the progression of nephropathy, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including 17 randomized controlled trials) pointed out that compared with the control group or the intervention group, oral black seed health products can reduce fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, The average decreases were 9.93 mg/dl, 0.57%, and 14.79 mg/dl, respectively.
In addition, the sub-group analysis also found that the effect of black seed oil to improve fasting blood sugar is better than blackseed powder.
*Conclusion: Oral black seed preparation is positive for blood sugar control but is limited by the heterogeneity of the included studies, and more studies are needed to corroborate.
6. Black seed weight assists in weight loss
Weight and its composition are the results of genetics, metabolism, environment, behavior, and culture. As of now, 35% of adults in the United States meet the obesity standard (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), and another 35% are overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2).
At any time, more than a quarter of women are trying to lose weight (weight loss), and men are closely followed, most of them are losing weight without professional support and no formal weight loss plan. Therefore, it is often difficult to achieve the goal.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including 13 randomized controlled trials with a total of 875 participants) pointed out that supplementation with the black seed (in the form of oil or capsules) can reduce body weight and body mass index, with average decreases Reached 1.76 kg and -0.85 kg/m2, but the waist value did not change significantly.
The underlying mechanism is related to reduced lipid absorption, energy intake, preadipocyte differentiation/proliferation, and fat production, and increased energy expenditure and lipolysis.
*Conclusion: Supplementing black seed seeds has a positive effect on assisting weight loss, but due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, more long-term studies are still needed to verify.
7. Black seed is beneficial to blood pressure regulation
Essential Hypertension is the most common type of hypertension, affecting 90% to 95% of patients with hypertension. The risk factors are related to a sedentary lifestyle, stress, visceral obesity, potassium deficiency (hypokalemia), obesity, salt (sodium) sensitivity, alcohol consumption, and vitamin D deficiency.
Hypertension is the main independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. In the range of 115/75 to 185/115 mmHg, for every 20 mmHg increase in systolic blood pressure and 10 mmHg increase in diastolic blood pressure, the risk of a fatal coronary event doubles.
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis (including 11 randomized controlled trials, a total of 860 individuals with hypertension or normal blood pressure) pointed out that oral black seed extract can be compared to placebo and standard therapy Reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure (average decreases are -3.26 mmHg and -2.80 mmHg, respectively), and the effect is more significant in the form of powder.
*Conclusion: The short-term use of black seed grass powder may have a positive effect on blood pressure regulation, but it is limited by the heterogeneity of the studies included (age, gender, basic health status differences), and more long-term trials are still needed to confirm its clinical benefits.
8. Black seed seeds help kidney stones dissolve
Kidney stone disease is a crystalline stone that usually forms in the kidney and is associated with an increased risk of chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal failure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Initially, the formation of stones does not cause any symptoms, but as the stones increase, possible signs include renal colic, abdominal and back pain, hematuria, urinary tract infection, urinary tract obstruction, and hydronephrosis (renal dilatation).
In a randomized, three-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial (a 10-week period involving 60 patients with kidney stones greater than 5 mm), one group used a placebo and the other group used black seed capsules.
The results found that in the black seed group, 44.4% of patients completely eliminated stones, 51.8% became smaller, and the size of 3.7% stones remained unchanged.
In contrast, 15.3% of patients in the placebo group completely eliminated stones, 11.5% of patients had stones reduced, 15.3% of patients had stones increased, and 57.6% of patients had no change in stone size.
*Conclusion: Black seed may help positively prevent kidney stones and reduce the early formation of stones, but limited by the small sample size, more research is needed to prove it.
Are there any side effects of black seed?
For most people, it is safe to eat black-grass seed as a food
If the form of ingestion is black seed oil or black seed powder, it should be used in an appropriate amount in a short period of time. Most studies have not found any obvious side effects (the safety of long-term use is still unknown), and possible side effects or adverse reactions that have been reported include Stomach upset, vomiting, constipation, abnormal liver test values (ALT, AST, Gamma-GT, ALP), especially in the state of large doses.
Safety Precautions
1. When applied by mouth or skin, it may induce allergic reactions, such as skin rashes.
2. Pregnant women should consult a doctor before use because animal studies have found that the use of black seed oil can slow uterine contractions.
3. Do not use it during breastfeeding women (because the relevant safety is unknown).
4. Poor coagulation function, take an anticoagulant, do not use the subject two weeks before the operation, because black seed oil may have an anticoagulant effect.
5. Patients with diabetes or those taking hypoglycemic drugs, please use caution, or regularly monitor blood sugar (because black seed may have a blood sugar lowering effect).
6. Patients with low blood pressure or those who take blood pressure-lowering drugs, please use them with caution, or regularly monitor blood pressure (because black seed may have a blood pressure-lowering effect).
7. Do not use in combination with drugs, because it may inhibit Cytochrome P450 enzymes (cytochrome P450 enzymes) related to drug metabolism, resulting in increased drug efficacy or side effects.
Where can I buy the black seed oil capsule recommended by most people?
In recent years, food safety problems in various countries have exploded, and it is not healthy but black-hearted products that everyone spends on. Therefore, European and American products with relatively strict quality control have become popular products.
And iHerb.com is a large-scale medical cosmetics e-commerce company in the United States. It has a high satisfaction rate of 97% in the evaluation of Google customers. It provides global home delivery so that you can buy it without risking buying fakes through purchasing high-quality health products.
